Root harvesting machine



Nov. 20, 1945. E, CAD.E X 2,389,411

ROOT HARVESTING MACHINE Fi1ed Match 15, 1944 INVENTR [000/25 (4aax ATTORNEY the machine.

Pdteited Nov. 20,1945

UNITED STAIES PATENT OFFICE RQOTIARVESTING MACHINE Eudore Cadieux, Letellier, Manitoba, Canada Application Match 15, 1944, Seflal No. 526,604

r My invention relates to root har.vesters. more particularly having reference to 9, machine for gathering and loading sugar beets and other roots or material from the ground to a vehicle.

In the art to which the invention relates it has been proposed to provide root harvesting machines in which a cohveyor is used in con1unction with root digging or gathering elements for receiving and deiivering roots or other matter t a wagon or vehicle from the ground. In'these the conveyor is more usually disposed lengthwise of the machine With the digging or gathering elements in advance of the conveyor.

The present invention contemplates improvements in machines of this character by provision of a. new and novel arrangement of gathering' ele. ments and conveyor. A 7

To this end 1 provide a conveyor system disposed transvers'ely of the direction of travel of Associated with the conveyor system is an element for initially gathering the material and means for shifting the material from the gathering element to the conveyor.

One of the objects of the invention is accordingly to provide a material harvesting machine with improved gathering element by which loose material may be lifted from the ground and avoiding entanglements cf weeds and similar matter.

A iurther object of the invention is to provide in combination with the gathering element improved means for shiiting the gathered material to a conveyor.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement cf gathering element, conveyor and shifting means between the gathering element and conveyor.

A still further object of the invention is to provide 9. machine of this character capable et construction to accommodate any desired accumulation of material. A

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the accompanying description tak n in conjunction wlth the drawing wherein like characters cf reference indicate like parts throughout the severa.l views and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a iront elevation of the machine assembled. v

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of same, the device being shown partly broken away for convenience et illustration.

Fi 3 is a side view of the driving connection for the material shiiting element and indicatifl a, fragment of the conveyor.

Having reference to the drawing my root harvesting machine is designed to be .drawn'by a tract0r or like power driven machine and frorn which power may be derived for drivirig the 16ad ing 1nechanism. A

The machine provides main horizontal;frame bars i and 2 .connected-intermediately by a frame 'member 5 projects rearwardly of the bar 2 to provide a balanced support for the machine. Rearwardly of the member 5 is a, cross bar 8 with integral standards 9 for supporting the delivery end of the conveyor. The conveyor consists of a, pair of side bars Il! that are supported at the rear or delivery end by attachment to the V standards 9.

At the receiving end of the conveyorthe boards l0 are carried loose on a. shaft il, said shaft being mounted i0tatable in bearing members l2 on the frame bars 1 and 2.

The conveyorconsists of an endless canvas or belt l3 with cleats M at intervals. The cleats l4 attach to endless chains H5 trained at the upper end ove;- sprockets le on a shaft ll mounted for rotation in the side boards l0. At the lower end the chains I5 are trained over sprockets la on the shaft Il.

For driving the conveyor there is provided a driving shaft l9 rotating in bearing members 20 on the frame bars I and 2. The shaft l8 inciudes a coupling with connecting rod 2l fora. driven connection to the tractor. On the shaft [9 is fixed a sprocket wheel 22 with chain 23 forming a driving connection with a sprocket wheel 24 on a shaft 25 mounted for rotation in suitable bearing members in the side boards "I. A further chain 26 is trained over wheels 21 and 28 on the shaits 25 and H providing the driving connection for operation of the conveyor.

'Io the under side of the irame bars l-and 2 y lations to' pass beyond the plate without enfor attachment by bolting to the under side of trame bars I and 2.

Above the plate 29 is mounted a. rotating clement for effecting movement of the material laterally from the plate 29 to the conveyor. On the frame bars I and 2 are brackets 33 providing bearing members 34 mounting for rotation an axle 35 on which is fixed a drum or cylinder 36. The axle 35 has keyed thereon a, sprocket wheel 31' by which the axle may be driven. Alisned with the wheel 31 is a further sprocket wheel 38 on the shaft 25, the driving connection being by chain 39. Stub shafts 40 and M on the rear trame board l carry idler sprockets over which the chain 39 is trained.

To the drum 36 1s attached a series of lugs 42 for engagement of the mots on the plate 29 to shift the roots or material gathered to the c0nveyor by rotation of the drum 36.

' In the operation of the machine the roots or materia] to be gathered is first accumulated in windroWs along which the machine passes. The

' machine is capable of handling eight rows of beets to a windrow. This could be increased if. necessary by increasing the size of the plate 29 and drum 36. The plate 29 will operate successfully over either hard or soit ground and is capable of gathering various mots besides sugar beets, such as turnips, anions, potatoes,

rant 48 by which the receiving end of the main trame can be raised to be supported for travel or the machine when not gathering materlals.

While I have hereln described a preferred embodiment' of my invention changes in construction and arrangement of parts and elements may be eflfected without departure from the spirlt and scope of the invention as deflned in the appended' ing laterally of the machine and delivering inward, an elevating'cohveyor carried by the machine transversely disposed and located in continuing relation to the delivery end of the plate, and a rotatable materia1 moving element mounted above the plate, said element including material engaging members adapted on rotation of said element to efiect a continuing movement of materiai lateraily over the plate on to the concarrots, and the like, or for gathering stones,

manure and other material, or even grain., 4

The gathered material is shifted from the plate 2 to the conveyor belt by the rotating drum 35, the lugs 42 moving the material over the plate 29 to the conveyor belt l3, for transfer anddischarge oi the delivery end of the conveyor to a wagon or truck.

For travel of the machine when not in use or operation a second traction wheel is provided. For the second wheel an auxiliary trame bar 43 is carried by the frame member 5 and auxiliary trame members 44 attached to the frame bar 2. To the frame bar 43 is intermediately hinged a bar 15 carrying a wheel 46 and engaged by an elevating gear comprising a lever 41 with quad- 2. A machine 01 the charcter described including a wheel supported trame, an elevating conveyor transversely disp0sed in the frame, a material gathering lement carried by the frame projecting laterally therefrom in continuing relation to the conveyor, said element providing a fiat gathering section adapted for travel above and in horizontal relation to the ground and an integral upwardly turned delivery section extending in discharging relation to the conveyor, said plate having its forward edge receding irom the inner forward portion outwardly, means for efiecting continuons movement of material laterally across the plate on to the conveyor, means connectable to a source of power for driving the conveyor and material moving means, and manually operable means for elevation of the receiving side of the machine.

EUDORE CADIEX. 

